A Florida man allegedly tried to extort $12,000 from an elderly victim as part of a “grandchild” scam and was caught by police after showing up at the victim’s Lake Forest home.
Luc D. Vautier, 22, of Ocala, Florida, was charged with two counts count of theft by deception, a Class 2 felony.
The Lake Forest Police Department responded around 10:36 a.m. Thursday to the 1200 block of Sheridan Road for a report of elder fraud.
Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief Michael Lange said it was learned the offender, Vautier, was impersonating the victim’s grandson.
Lange said Vautier told the elderly victim he was involved in a traffic crash and had been arrested.
Vautier claimed to the victim that he needed $12,000 to get out of jail, Lange said.
Officers also learned Vautier was coming to the victim’s home to retrieve the money.
Lange said officers located Vautier at the front door of the victim’s residence.
Officers arrested him and detectives also connected Vautier to another similar case in Lake Forest that occurred on Tuesday.
Detectives are assisting other local agencies with additional investigations involving the same exploitation scam.
“The Lake Forest Police Department would like to remind everyone to be very vigilant about scam phone calls of all types and to share this story with elderly family and friends to hopefully prevent future crimes,” Lange said.
Vautier is expected to be transported Friday to the Lake County Jail for first appearance court.